Tensions erupted at Thursday night's weigh-in as Mike Tyson landed a dramatic slap across Jake Paul's face during their final face-off ahead of their Netflix boxing showdown.
The incident occurred as the pair came together for the customary staredown, with the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion shocking onlookers with his explosive outburst.
Paul, however, appeared unfazed by the physical confrontation. "I didn't even feel it. He's angry. He's an angry little elf," the YouTuber-turned-boxer declared.
"Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you're getting knocked out," Paul added defiantly.
Tyson later revealed the reason behind his aggressive reaction, claiming Paul had deliberately stepped on his foot during the face-off.
"I was in my socks and he had on shoes," Tyson explained. "I wanted to think it happened by accident. But now I think it may have happened on purpose.
Mike Tyson slapped Jake Paul in a fiery face-off ahead of Friday's fight
Reuters
"I was in a lot of pain, so I had to reciprocate."
Tom Patti, Tyson's longtime friend and former training partner, supported these claims, telling USA Today: "Jake stepped on Mike's foot, that prompted the reaction."
Footage appears to back up these allegations, showing Paul's trainers making contact with Tyson's right foot during the confrontation.
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Paul's mother, Pam Stepnick, had a far more explosive reaction to the incident than her son.
When asked about Tyson's slap by FightHype, Stepnick bluntly called him a "b****".
The confrontation escalated further when she was later seen embracing her son, declaring: "I'm going to kill Mike Tyson for you. F***ing little b****."
Paul appeared amused by his mother's fierce defence, responding with a laugh: "You slap harder than him."
The heated exchange added another layer of drama to an already controversial build-up to the fight.
The highly anticipated Netflix bout is scheduled for Saturday morning at approximately 4am GMT at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Mike Tyson accused Jake Paul of standing on his toe deliberately
Reuters
The weigh-in revealed Tyson, who looked in remarkable condition for his 58 years, tipping the scales at 16st 4lb (228.4lbs).
Paul, who has bulked up from his usual cruiserweight division, came in slightly lighter at 16st 3lb (227.2lbs).
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Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight it out in Texas on Friday night
Reuters
The contest is set for eight rounds, with each round lasting two minutes.
Paul enters the bout with an impressive professional record of 11 wins from 12 fights, his sole defeat coming against Tommy Fury last year.
